Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 games of the decade

By James Jones

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Defensive tackle Justin Smith #94 and linebacker Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers wait for a play against the New York Giants in the third quarter on October 14, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 26-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Defensive tackle Justin Smith #94 and linebacker Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers wait for a play against the New York Giants in the third quarter on October 14, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 26-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers dives over the line for a 7-yard touchdown catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers dives over the line for a 7-yard touchdown catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 8:  Jaguars @ 49ers: Week 16 — Dec. 24, 2017

It could be said 49ers and their fans didn’t know exactly what they had in newly announced starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, not right away at least.

Any such thought was put to rest on a cold and wet Christmas Eve day at Levi’s Stadium.

Facing the Jacksonville Jaguars and their No. 1 defense, Garoppolo put on a clinic and the game ended with a 44-33 win over the AFC South champions. The Jaguars loss coming at the hands of the eventual 6-10 49ers did little to hinder their postseason run. It did, however, solidify the trade general manager John Lynch made to get Garoppolo and may have earned the quarterback the long-term contract he was seeking.

The Niners franchise quarterback has since built on the small sample size he had in 2017. He is now 21-5 as a starter through the decade, and in those 26 games, he has directed seven fourth-quarter comebacks or game-winning drives.

This game is at No. 6 on the list of top 10 games of the decade because it was that day in Santa Clara the 49ers brass and the fans learned what Garoppolo could and ultimately would become in Shanahan’s offense.

Yes, it was a meaningless game in a lost season, and some might disagree with it making the list at all. However, when one looks at where the Niners and Garoppolo are now, this was the kind of game he needed to have in order to show he was worth the contract he would sign that offseason.

Now it appears Garoppolo could be throwing passes for the 49ers for the next 10-years, this game was as important as any for making it a reality.